How to Write Reports and Proposals: Create Attention-Grabbing Documents that Achieve Your Goal [6 ed.]
9781398606357, 9781398606340, 9781398606104, 2022938413
Getting a message across on paper and presenting a proposal in a clear and persuasive form are vital skills for anyone i
Table of contents : Halftitle Page Creating Success Series Title Page Copyright Page Contents Introduction A new edition Business writing must earn a reading A fragile process A major opportunity 01 What makes good business writing? The hazards of communication Pitfalls: serious, and very serious Why have a report? Readers’ expectations Readers’ perspective Powerful habits Earning a reading Inappropriate standard documents Clear intention Achieving absolute clarity The rewards of excellence A significant opportunity 02 Creating a good report Defining the report Setting clear objectives A sound structure First, the beginning The middle The end After the end 03 Preparing to write Why this report? Research prior to preparation A systematic approach Shaking off old habits 04 The power of language Cultivating an appropriate writing style Readers’ expectations Readers’ dislikes The writer’s approach Use of language Making language work for you Careful selection of language Mistakes to avoid Following the rules Style Technological dilution 05 Making numbers clear The nature of numbers and number ‘blindness’ Actions to avoid number blindness Methods of presenting numbers clearly The contribution of language 06 Making proposals persuasive A cumulative process A key stage Persuasive technique The don’ts The dos Quotations versus proposals Choice of format Timing Proposal content Checklist Covering letters The presentation of proposals Earn attention 07 The contribution of layout and presentation How the pages look Graphic emphasis The exhibits Other options for inclusion Overall packaging Afterword Postscript: the link to presentations Acknowledgements All the books in the Creating Success series